Hybrid Rice Development Consortium

To strengthen the collaboration between the public and private sectors and to enhance the dissemination of hybrid rice technology, Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC) was established at the International Rice Reserach Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines in 2008 with 39 public and private organizations. By Q1 2015, the HRDC has been expanded to 76 members.

Can a potential new member join the HRDC mid-year through?

The membership cycle is from January 1 to December 31 for smoother execution of HRDC plans and priorities; however, if a new member wishes to join mid-year through, then HRDC would consider it on a case-to-case basis.

What is the structure and composition of the HRDC Advisory Committee?

The HRDC Advisory Committee (AC) serves as an apex committee for HRDC in its advisory role. The AC is composed of three private sector members, two public sector members, and two IRRI representatives plus the HRDC coordinator. The Advisory Committee is chaired by the...

Is there interaction between the HRDC program and other IRRI breeding programs?

HRDC directly benefits from IRRI’s expertise and assets, including the genebank and its network of breeding sites. In consultation with the HRDC Advisory Committee, IRRI maintains interaction between HRDC programs and other relevant IRRI programs.

Should HRDC continue to deliver hybrid varieties and invest in testing hybrids, or should HRDC deliver only F2 populations and fixed lines?

HRDC plans, priorities, and deliverables are driven by the needs of all members and countries. Moving forward, HRDC will focus on delivering high-value upstream material (segregating population) and fixed parental lines. However HRDC may continue to develop hybrids if...

What kind of germplasm is shared with the HRDC members?

Active members are eligible to receive new elite parental lines (A and R lines for testing; A, B, and R lines for commercial licenses). In 2016, HRDC shared 12 A lines and 15 R lines. In addition to these A and R lines, F2 seeds of select R/R and B/B crosses will be...

Will HRDC share B lines with the members?

HRDC proposes an integrated approach to enhance the value of the available pool of A lines. HRDC will first provide A lines for research and breeding purposes. Members are encouraged to share their results with HRDC on the performance of these lines. For a second...

What is the approach for high-value shuttle breeding and what are the expected deliverables?

A high-value shuttle breeding program involving all HRDC members will begin at around April 2017 and will span three to four years after alignment with the molecular breeding strategy from a newly formed HRDC technical committee. This will involve sharing a few F2...